Some symptoms should not be ignored

This will be a two-part blog to keep each one short enough for you to read without becoming overwhelmed. The subject is about symptoms that should cause you to seek medical attention sooner rather than later. Some may seem obvious, others may not. Either way, I hope you will file these away in your memory banks for future reference in case you develop one or more of these symptoms.

1- Persistent cough. Everyone experiences cough from time to time, particularly in association with a cold or flu. These are almost always due to a viral infection and will pass within 1-2 weeks. Chronic cough is another matter and must be evaluated by your physician. Causes could be infection (including Tb), chronic bronchitis, asthma, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (heartburn), or even cancer. If you see blood in your sputum (stuff you cough up), seek medical attention rather quickly.

2- Bleeding. If you cut yourself (a minor cut) and the bleeding doesn’t stop within a few minutes, it could indicate a blood-related problem. Similarly, if you bruise very easily, this should be checked out. People who take a lot of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) will have inactive platelets (the blood cells that help clotting), and this may be the most minor cause and is easily corrected. But if you have persistent bleeding, from the gums, in the urine or in your stool, that needs to be evaluated. Also, if your stools become darker than usual, this could be a sign of bleeding in the colon and should be examined soon (it could be something minor like some medications you are taking or diet, but it could also be a sign of colon cancer.

3- Headaches. We all get the occasional stress-related or tension headache that is usually short-lived and responds well to over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine. Excessive use of OTC painkillers, however, can lead to a vicious cycle involving what’s called a rebound headache. It’s due to medication overuse and you may need help in breaking the cycle. If you get incapacitating headaches or headaches preceded by strange sensory phenomena, this could be migraines, for which there are now extraordinarily effective medications. No need to suffer in silence. Of course, if you develop a sudden headache that you describe as “the worst headache I’ve had in my life,” this could be a very serious medical emergency caused by bleeding in or around the brain and you should be taken to the hospital immediately.

4- Visual difficulties. Sometimes visual changes occur so slowly that we’re not even aware of them. This is why it’s important to have periodic eye examinations that may uncover subtle, but serious, abnormalities. But if your vision changes suddenly in any way, this needs immediate attention. You might have a detached retina or other mechanical problem or you might have an infection that needs immediate treatment (especially true for people who wear contact lenses).

5- Fever. Normal temperature is usually 98.7 degrees but some people have a slightly different “normal” for them. But if a fever lasts for more than three days, it should be investigated. It could be a sign of infection that is easily treated, but it could also be a sign of something more serious. Also, if you notice temperature fluctuations without apparent cause, that too needs examination.

6- Diarrhea. Occasional, short-term diarrhea is common and usually passes in a day or so. Very severe diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration and requires treatment. Infants with diarrhea are at particular risk of dehydration so they should be seen rather soon. Chronic or episodic but recurrent diarrhea could be a sign of a bowel disorder that needs treatment. Diarrhea associated with bleeding is also best investigated right away.

7- Chest pain. Of course, this is a worrisome symptom. It might just be heartburn but it could be a heart problem such as a heart attack. If the chest pain is severe, feels like someone is sitting on your chest, is associated with sweating or pain that is also felt in your jaw or down your arm, you should call 911 immediately. If it is a heart attack, time is critical, and paramedics are trained to provide immediate treatment.

8- Night sweats. If you sleep under a lot of covering and are wearing heavy pajamas, you may experience some degree of sweating in the night that is relieved by changing your environment. However, drenching night sweats that occur without apparent reason are abnormal and should be looked into, especially if you have to get up and change your clothes and/or your sheets. There are some cancers and infections that cause such night sweating and it’s best to be evaluated promptly.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ed Zimney, MD

Ed is a physician with more than 30 years of experience. He’s held positions in drug advertising review, drug safety surveillance, medical information and marketing with several bio/pharmaceutical companies.

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